A Georgian mansion – where a classic children’s novel was written – is on the brink of becoming a boutique hotel.

The Grade II listed building in Buile Hill Park, Salford, is steeped in local history but has stood derelict for the last 15 years.

Frances Hodgson Burnett part wrote her children’s classic book, published in 1910, The Secret Garden, on visits to the house, which was designed by Sir Charles Barry, the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament.

And this week a potential bid for the derelict site by an undisclosed hotel group was discussed behind closed doors this week.

Salford councillors and officers met in secret to discuss the potential sale – arguing that holding the hearing in public would “damage the prospects for a sale”.

A spokesman for the council said: “We remain committed to finding a sustainable, long-term future for Buile Hill mansion and hotel use is the most promising option, from the interest shown in the property.

“We very much hope a sensitive development can be agreed in the not too distant future.”

The spokesman stressed the building had not yet been sold.

A council website posting on the ‘Disposal of Buile Hill Mansion and former park depot’ states: “The property is listed, surplus to the council’s needs and is disproportionately costly to manage and maintain.

“Its sale, refurbishment, extension and successful reuse will reduce the council’s liabilities and generate a capital receipt and

significant employment opportunities.”

It says Buile Hill Park and the communities that use it will be ‘positively affected’ by the refurbishment and returning the property to use.

The stately home was built in 1827 as the home of Sir Thomas Potter, the first Lord Mayor of Manchester and co-founder of the Manchester Guardian, the forerunner of The Guardian.

It closed in 2000 as the home for Lancashire Mining Museum and has been boarded up ever since.

In 2008 the council approved plans by John Wilkinson, the then chairman of Salford City Reds rugby league team, to turn the mansion into a £9m country hotel but permission ran out last year.

In 2010 Mr Wilkinson held talks with the MacDonald’s Hotel Group, who have a luxury hotel chain. The plan was for the Wilkinson Corporation to own the mansion and to lease it to MacDonald’s but the idea floundered.

Mr Wilkinson was intending to buy the mansion for £700,000 but the council never received a penny as the scheme collapsed when the recession kicked in.

He planned to create five suites, a ballroom, and lounge linked by glass walkway to an 80-bedroom extension.

Heritage groups were scathing in their criticism . The Ancient Monuments Society, described it as “one of the worst schemes to extend a listed building we have seen in a long time.” English Heritage called it ‘confused’.